Check out The Times’ 2024 All-Area Baseball Teams

Brayden Barrett, Sr., of Chesterton, P/SS

Statistics: .370 BA, 19 RBI, 11 SB, .879 OPS; 51.2 IP, 67 K, 13 BB, 2.30 ERA

The All-DAC player helped the Chesterton baseball team win its first sectional championship since 2018. Barrett had a complete game to secure a 7-4 win over Lowell, allowing six hits and four runs with eight strikeouts and two walks. He will continue his baseball career at Purdue Northwest.

Mason Barth, Jr., Andrean, P/SS

Statistics: .442 BA, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 15 SB

The Norte Dame commit was named to the Prep Baseball Report All-State team. Barth was also recognized as the state’s most talented shortstop for Class 3A with a selection to the IHSBCA All-State team.

Dylan Bowen, So., Hanover Central, SS

Bowen is a top-tier shortstop in the area who is recognized on PBR as the No. 2-ranked player in the state for the class of 2026. The sophomore’s offensive abilities helped him earn the NCC Offensive Player of the Year award.

Nick Bravo, Jr., Wheeler, 3B/SS/P

Statistics: .417 BA, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 7 SB, 1.073 OPS

The uncommitted junior went 2-for-3 to lead Wheeler to the 2A sectional title. The Bearcats had a successful season, finishing second in the Greater South Shore Conference with their only two conference losses coming against Class 2A state runner-up Illiana Christian.

Logan Cotton, Jr., Crown Point, 3B/P

Statistics: .250 BA, 9 RBI, .614 OPS; 52.1 IP, 81 K, 15 BB, 1.47 ERA, 0.92 WHIP

The 6-foot-4 right-hander throws a 90.5 MPH fastball that allowed him to finish the season with a 1.45 ERA. The Indiana native was recognized as an All-DAC player for the 2023-24 season.

Caden Crowell, Jr., Valparaiso, 1B/P

Statistics: .449 BA, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 2 SB, 1.231 OPS; 28 IP, 53 K, 7 BB, 0.25 ERA, 0.90 WHIP

The Notre Dame pitcher proved he has the ability to perform on offense and deliver on the mound after posting a .449 batting average and a 0.25 ERA. The DAC’s most valuable pitcher ranks second in the state in PBR for the 2025 class.

Rob Czarniecki, So., Chesterton, P/OF

Statistics: .489 BA, 7 HR, 38 RBI, 9 SB, 1,540 OPS; 28.2 IP, 45 K, 12 BB, 0.73 ERA, 1.05 WHIP

The versatile player was named to the IHSBCA All-State team in part for his arm strength in the outfield. The DAC MVP is the first Chesterton player to be named to the IHSBCA first team since Trojans catcher B.J. Pahs in 2001.

Mason Jarrett, Jr., Munster, OF

Statistics: .410 BA, 28 RBI, 14 SB, 1.112 OPS

Jarrett was named to the NCC First Team thanks to an impressive 87 mph exit velocity from the outfield. The NCC Offensive Player of the Year candidate won Munster’s Golden Bat Award.

Nick Robinson, Sr., Lake Central, OF

Statistics: .386 BA, 25 RBI, 38 SB, .951 OPS

The All-DAC outfielder nearly made the Lake Central roster as a freshman. Robinson’s aggressiveness on the basepaths with 38 stolen bases was a key part of the Indians winning their first state title since 2012.

Griffin Tobias, Sr., Lake Central, P/SS

Statistics: .307 BA, 1 HR, 18 RBI, .858 OPS; 66.1 IP, 98 K, 11 BB, 0.95 ERA, 0.84 WHIP

The Times Baseball Player of the Year was recognized by area coaches as one of the best pitchers the region has ever seen. Lake Central head coach Mike Swartzentruber said the Indiana native will go down as one of the school’s most decorated student-athletes. The star right-hander had 41 strikeouts in the postseason alone.

Blake Sivak, Sr., Lake Central, P

Statistics: 57.1 innings, 60 strikeouts, 15 walks, 1.22 ERA

The Maryville commit was a vital part of Lake Central’s state champion team striking out three players in 3 2/3 innings in the Class 4A state title game against Mooresville. The four-year varsity member often flew under the radar but went 11-1 in conference play during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Caiden Verrett, Jr., Hanover Central, C

Statistics: .376 BA, 1 HR, 24 RBI

The Times’ 2023 Offensive Football Player of the Year has shown that his athleticism extends to more than one sport, hitting a home run, a triple and 12 doubles this season.

Isaac VanderWoude, Sr., Illiana Christian, SS

Statistics: .425 BA, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 22 SB, 1.431 OPS

The IHSBCA All-State 2A shortstop was runner-up for player of the year. The Virginia native had 37 hits last season with a home run, a triple and 10 doubles. VanderWoude’s superb offensive skills helped give the Vikings a chance to win their third straight Class 2A state title.

Tyler Balkema, Sr., Illiana Christian, 2B/3B

Statistics: .395 BA, 22 RBI, 14 SB, 1.014 OPS

Balkema’s offensive capabilities have allowed him to remain in the rankings with some of the best players in the region throughout the season.

Troy Barrett, So., Chesterton, P

Statistics: .426 BA, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 5 SB, 1.106 OPS; 53.1 IP, 83 K, 12 BB, 1.18 ERA

Barrett began the season with a four-game, 24-inning scoreless streak to kick off his college career.

Nate Brumfield, Sr., Valparaiso, OF

Statistics: .364 BA, 1 HR, 16 RBI, .975 OPS

The Wabash commit was named All-DAC as an outfielder.

Xavier Carrera, Jr., Boone Grove, P/INF

Statistics: .403 BA, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 14 SB, 1.217 OPS; 32.1 IP, 38 K, 33 BB, 3.03 ERA

Indiana was awarded the Porter County Conference MVP title.

Grant Cowger, Sr., Morgan Township, P/CF

Statistics: .393 BA, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 19 SB, 1.016 OPS; 35.1 IP, 45 K, 11 BB, 2.58 ERA

Cowger’s offensive and pitching abilities helped the Cherokees win their first regional title in program history.

Trevor Fenters, Jr., Valparaiso, 1B/3B/P

Statistics: .359 BA, 3 HR, 25 RBI, .961 OPS; 48 K, 42.1 IP, 48 K, 10 BB, 1.82 ERA

Fenters went 5-0 on the mound in DAC games with shutouts against Crown Point and Lake Central.

Drew Kosteba, Jr., Lake Central, OF

Statistics: .308 BA, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 8 SB, .898 OPS

Kosteba hit the national charts after appearing as the No. 1 play on SportsCenter for jumping over Chesterton’s receiver to gain a 2-0 lead in the regional championship.

Tyler Peller, Sr., Andrean, OF

Statistics: .325 BA, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 10 SB

The Wabash Valley commit was a member of the IHSBCA North All-Star team.

Anthony Rayski, Jr., Hanover Central, P

Statistics: 30 strikeouts, 1.75 ERA, 1.08 WHIP

The Wildcats junior was named the Northwest Crossroads Conference Pitcher of the Year.

Niko Rodriguez, Sr., Morton, P

Statistics: .508 BA, 1 HR, 26 RBI, 14 SB, 1.307 OPS; 44.1 IP, 77 K, 32 BB, 4.42 ERA

The four-year varsity player competed on the mound against some of the toughest hitters in the DAC.

Kaleb Short, Sr. River Forest, RHP/SS/CF

Statistics: .627 BA, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 40 SB, 1,760 OPS; 58.1 IP, 123 K, 18 BB, 1.08 ERA

Short consistently ranked atop the region’s batting average leaderboard throughout the season and No. 1 in the state on MaxPreps.

Aiden Anthony, Jr., Griffith, INF/P; Spencer Bandstra, So., Illiana Christian, P/OF; Andrew Burris, Jr., Hobart, 1B/P; Davian Carrera, Jr., Boone Grove, 1B/OF/P; Ryan Gordon, Sr., Highland, C; Aslyn Farinelli, Sr., Crown Point 3B/P; Brandon Fergerson, So., River Forest, 1B/SS/P; Ryder Fernandez, Jr., Lake Central, 3B; Ivan Mastalski, Jr., Andrean, P; Quinn O’Bryan, Sr., Lake Central, 2B; Tanner Post, So., Illiana Christian, P/OF; Jaylen Rutherford, Jr., Hanover Central, OF; Zak Scharnke, So., Lowell, SS; Nathan Southwell, So., Munster, 1B/OF; Jack Wheeler, Sr., Morgan Township, P.